Continental brand. The mechanism's complexity would have required an even more expensive marketing position for a Continental, and when Ford projected losses for this route, the company re-conceived the model and restyled it from the waist down — projecting it would attract more buyers under the Ford brand. Though prescient, the concept ultimately attracted more attention than sales; it was expensive, thought to be unreliable, and consumed almost all trunk space when retracted. The listed retail price was US$2,942 ($ in dollars ) with several items available optionally like power windows, power-adjustable front seat, power steering, power brakes, heater and windshield defroster. Although the actual mechanicals differed, the Skyliner's retractable roof design was later adopted for the Lincoln Continental fabric convertibles of 1961–67. Engines and transmissions The following engines, all V8s, were available on the Fairlane 500 Skyliner. Two manual transmissions, a three-speed and three-speed overdrive, and a three-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission. Starting in 1958, Cruise-O-Matic was added, which provided a second "drive" range ("D2"), allowing for an intermediate gear start. Crestline Skyliner & Fairlane Crown Victoria Skyliner Ford had used the Skyliner name on earlier models, namely the two-door hardtop Crestline Skyliner of 1954 and the Fairlane Crown Victoria Skyliner coupe of 1955 and 1956. These models feature a clear acrylic glass roof panel over the front seats. Notes Bibliography External links International Ford Retractable Club Fairlane 500 Skyliner Cars introduced in 1957